VANCOUVER, BC – Whitecaps FC Reserves kick off their 2013 MLS Reserve League campaign with a match against Real Salt Lake Reserves this Sunday at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff is at 11a.m. PT and you can follow the action on Twitter through @WhitecapsMatch.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

Whitecaps FC Reserves begin their 2013 MLS Reserve League campaign following a series of matches against local University sides and North American Soccer League (NASL) club FC Edmonton.

The team recovered from losing their opening preseason match against UBC 3-0 to record four consecutive victories against the University of Victoria (3-0), Simon Fraser University (3-1), FC Edmonton (4-2), and Trinity Western University (6-1) were all seen off as the side built an impressive 4W-1L-0D record.

REAL SALT LAKE

Of the teams that have already kicked off their 2013 MLS Reserve League campaign, Real Salt Lake are the only team remaining to have not tasted defeat. They began the year by beating San Jose Earthquakes Reserves away 1-0. Later, they took on Colorado Rapids Reserves twice in as many games with a 2-1 victory in Utah and a 0-0 draw in Colorado.

Key to the RSL Reserve team’s success so far this season has been the presence of Josh Saunders, two-time MLS Cup winner with LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012, in the RSL goal. Saunders has not conceded a single goal this campaign with the solitary goal coming under substitute Jeff Attinella’s watch in the match against Colorado.

There will be a reunion for Paulo Jr. who made 22 MLS appearances for Real Salt Lake in 2012 before joining Vancouver in the offseason. Another fresh face, Tom Heinemann, was teammates with RSL's Cole Grossman at Columbus Crew last season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The match will be the first ever meeting between the two reserve teams as Real Salt Lake compete in the Western Conference for the first time since Whitecaps FC joined the league.

NEXT UP

The next match for Whitecaps FC Reserves will be a scrimmage against University of Washington on Tuesday, April 17 at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff for that match will be 1 p.m. PT.